Cape might get big bundle of transportation dollars

BOSTON – Millions of dollars could be headed to pay for Cape trains, highways and bridges if a House transportation bill makes its way through the budget process unscathed.

By LAUREN DEZENSKI

capecodtimes.com

By LAUREN DEZENSKI

Posted Jan. 31, 2014 at 10:31 PM
Updated Jan 31, 2014 at 10:33 PM

By LAUREN DEZENSKI

Posted Jan. 31, 2014 at 10:31 PM
Updated Jan 31, 2014 at 10:33 PM

» Social News

BOSTON – Millions of dollars could be headed to pay for Cape trains, highways and bridges if a House transportation bill makes its way through the budget process unscathed.

The CapeFlyer rail service, connecting Boston to Cape Cod, is one of three rail projects set to share $175 million in the proposed $12.7 billion bond bill for rail improvements and road upgrades.

If the House plan passes, the CapeFlyer could go from a seasonal run to year-round convenience, resuming regular service that hasn’t been seen for 25 years.

In the CapeFlyer’s inaugural season last summer, Boston’s South Station to Hyannis run served 16,500 riders from Memorial Day to Columbus Day, according to the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority.

In the fall, Gov. Deval Patrick was one of many who called on the CapeFlyer to run year-round. The Buzzards Bay Train Station, one of the stops along the CapeFlyer’s route, also could see funding to make the station platform accessible to disabled passengers.

The money would go toward cost estimates on what it would take to make the existing station compliant.

The Buzzards Bay station funding comes from an amendment Vieira proposed to the original bill. It was one of nearly 300 amendments added onto the original $12.4 billion transportation bond bill in a House session Wednesday, pushing the bill’s price tag to $12.7 billion.

State Rep. Sarah Peake, D-Provincetown, added five amendments to the bill, allocating $3.7 million for construction on Route 137 and drainage at Betty’s Curve in Brewster, reconstruction of Oceanview Drive in Eastham, and funds for improving Lieutenant Island Road and Route 6 in Wellfleet.

With the help of state Rep. Cleon Turner, D-Dennis, the proposed bill also features $125,000 for a traffic study in Dennis, as well as a study of nearly 150 safety improvements for the Route 6A corridor in Brewster.

Additionally, Martha’s Vineyard could see a $1.5 million road and bike path system connecting Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road to State Road and $2 million for repairing and widening the bridge spanning Mill Brook on State Road in West Tisbury.

The proposed bond bill outlines how $12.7 billion would be spent on the state’s roads, highways, bridges and transit systems over the next five years. These projects will be funded by the sale of bonds.

The final bill was unanimously approved by the House on Wednesday and moves on to the Senate.